planemad

You are looking for JJ (Jatujack or Chatuchak) market. When you get off the MRT at Kampang Phet (spell), use the exit on the opposite road to the market. When you surface, make your way to the main road (about 20 m) and you will see the co-op you mentioned across the road on your left hand side. Turn right and aim towards JJ Mall, maybe half to 1 Km away from the MRT. Once you get to JJ Mall, turn right, follow the road to the corner and turn left, and you will find a gateway along there on the right hand side. Now you are in the market and all around you will see birds, dogs, cats, fowl and tropical and fresh water fish.

I would hardly call it a Soi as it is a large sprawling area.

Good luck, but be wary of livestock there......many bad stories, about the place but I still enjoy a wander whenever I get the chance.

KS

It is frustrating endlessly waiting to get connected to an agent. I made the same comments to one such agent recently and they said that once you get onto the press button merry-go-round, simply say "Agent" and it will bring you directly to the next available agent. Try it, it does work!

h90, you say OK for in Thailand, but in other countries it would be illegal and the business would be eaten alive from the political correct.

Not true. B&Q UK advertise 10% discount for senior citizens on Wednesdays. Whilst it does not say UK senior citizens, I suggest non UK residents may have difficulty claiming this benefit. Anyway, whats wrong with helping your own? If we had thought a little more about that 50 years ago, the UK might be a very different place today.

As we live in Bang Na, decided to have a look today! Certainly lives up to its name "Mega". Once you find an entrance you find a great mall with a number of tributaries leading from it. Follow it to one end and you have Ikea, but that is old hat by now. Many of the stores, the like of which can be seen anywhere, so nothing really new, just lots of everything.

I think it is good that there are so many "superstore" outlets under one roof, Big C Extra, Home Pro, Robinsons and of course Ikea. It also contains a large cinamaplex and entertainment area which we did not have time to visit.

The common theme in all the stores was "sorry, today is first day, still new and learning". Not a problem, to be expected really. The smell of Acetone however, and fresh paint is everywhere and quite overpowering. I think today crept up on them rather sooner than they expected. Many of the floor areas were very dirty, in need of a good mopping, and general building dust was still very obvious. Nothing however which would make you say "never again"

What did make me smile, on the birth of a new complex such as this, MacDonalds and KFC were maxed out from opening time. One sour note, we decided to eat and chose a little cafe opposite the 2 KFC. Tum Tum cafe looked quite nice so we decided to give it a go, menu was high tech on a tablet (that's where they all went), shame the service was not the same! Wife ordered a soft drink and I ordered a beer, of the 6 beers listed, they only had 3, Phuket beer, a Chocolate beer (didn't fancy that), and one called (honestly) fuc_king Hell! Anyway, ordered a beer and a few food dishes and waited and waited and waited! 15 minutes, not even a drink had arrived. Staff were running around like headless chickens, but were getting nowhere. Eventually, after getting the beer and the wife's drink, we decided to give up, even getting the bill took over 5 minutes. They has clearly done no staff training and it was quite embarrassing to watch. I would however say that if they can get their act together, they will have a good product, but how many people will walk away never to return?

Over all, quite a pleasant day out, the layout of the place is very light, spacious and modern (maybe even minimalist in places). Lots to look at and do. The question I would ask, is it worth a weekly trip rather than shopping at Central or Big C Bang Na?.......probably not.

"Two pilots on a flight training mission were slightly injured, he said, adding that there were 15 pilots and engineers on the plane."

They think that's proof of their innate intelligence but to my mind this is proof of the larger logistical problems with Thailand.

And just how many of those other pilots do you think were on the flight deck at the time of the incident? Do think a little!

Well done guys, keep up the excellent work and you will inspire more to follow in your footsteps. Positive stories like this on TV are rare and as soon as they arise, the cynics will try to knock it!

Oh dear, one has already beaten me to it, sad minds at work!

As long as the pump is working, there will always be a difference in water level. The pump is drawing water from a far smaller "reservoir" than from the main body of water in the tank itself and the return is restricted by the filter media. You might also notice that if you turn the pump off, when the levels equalise, the level in the main tank may be below the level of the overflow into the filter compartment.You can use the water level in the pump compartment as an indicator of when to "top up". However, if you undertake weekly partial water changes (10 to 15% for instance) that should not be necessary. Either way, it is quite normal and you can spend more time watching the fish and less time watching the water level . Just enjoy the terrific array of fish available here.

PM

I can see your point. I fly Oman Air (from Oman) all the time and they are very good.........in the air! However, I have many Omani friends who will not fly with them for the very reason you are talking about. The details are in the small print. Book early, fly what you book and no problem, change your schedule and they want extra. Their flights to/from BKK are always 95% full, you figure.

PM

Keep meaning to drop into Hustlers, just never get around to it! I have used Players quite a lot, but usually in the late afternoon when it is not busy. Standard of play can be quite high, some of the girls will also give you a good game (I DO mean pool!). For me, Players now allows smoking in the place, I would prefer to be without that. Other than that, give it a go.

PM

IanForbes - Why don't Poles commit suicide more often?

I think the answer is quite simple - not really possible to commit suicide more than once - unless you are a Buddhist of course! Sorry, couldn't resist

Firstly, I am not a Muslim, but I do work in an Islamic country. The view that Muslims cannot marry outside their religion is incorrect, please see this line, easily Googled http://islamqa.info/en/ref/21380 This "ruling" will almost certainly be seen differently in different countries, but here in Oman Muslim men have and do marry Christian women.

TV forum is rapidly becoming TB forum!

Bri9646, the Country road that used to be above Foodland has relocated, still in Soi 5 just as you turn into the alley between Soi 5 and 7 it is right on the corner, easy to miss I think. Fairly sure that is where you will still see Bob but be prepared for a shock, Country Road has pushed prices the through the roof, about 120 baht a small beer. This is throughout the franchise - even in Pattaya and Jomtien, shame, they do good live music (except Jomtien).

Assuming you are in BKK as your user name suggests, there are many to choose from. I suggest you ask a Thai friend who they would recommend as they are more likely to be cost wary. However, as suggested by the sensible (shame about the idiot, they get everywhere!) posters above, get it sorted as soon as possible.

Go native, no socks....problem solved!

JJ or Chatuchak Market (sometimes spelled with either a C or a J, hence the confusion), can easily be reached by taxi, BTS or MRT. If taxi, ask for "Chatuchak Mall" which is on the outskirts of the market and also worth a look.

BTS, simply follow to Bang Sue and again you are on the outskirts, but not far to walk. I (personally) prefer to use the MRT to Kham Pang Phet (sorry for spelling). Do not take the exit for the "Farmers Association of Thailand" (or something similar) as this brings you out on the wrong side of the road (although for fresh produce it is also well worth a look). The remaining exit brings you onto a corner of the market, at the bottom of the escalator is a large map of the market to help you find what you are looking for.

I hope this is of some help, anyway, have a good day out!

PM

Grawburg, I have only limited experiance of buying from JJ, but like most flea markets, they will come down if you work on them. Always a good idea to bring a Thai with you, no mater how good you speak, you will (almost) never get the same deal that a Thai can. Anyway, it's a good place to browse.

You might also check out the pictures and frames at Chatu Chak market. The "Arty" section is quite large with a wide variety of subjects. Many of the little shops are open during the week so you can browse and avoid most of the crowds. Worth a look anyway.

I work in Muscat and my wife has SCB ATM which she uses from time to time, no problems!

Semper, dont worry, Islamic New Year was mid December 2011, or looking ahead, early December 2012.

Travelman, you are very quick to dismiss the views of those with religious or spiritual beliefs. Then you say that you don’t know and don’t have all the answers, but that WE should give up OUR tripe ideas. Well, none of us have the answers, but that does not stop us having some sort of faith.

I therefore respectfully request whilst your views might differ substantially from mine and billions of others who share a belief in “something”, please respect our right to those beliefs and not try to belittle or humiliate those whose views are different to your own.

Thank you

Just took the wife and 2 nieces to have a proper look around. Much the same as the other shopping malls with all the same sort of shops but it is presented very well! The different city themes are quite good, some are a bit vague but I like the London one, only thing missing is the boarded up shops and smashed windows with a group of youths "relocating" the contents.

The girls loved the loo's, they came out smiling and giggling, said it was all automatic! The mind boggles.

Let's see what it's like in 12 months.

Yes, open this weekend, some shops closed, but vast majority are working, just got back!

Mr Buffalo, You can take the BTS all the way to Mo Chit, you are just on the edge of the market, a short walk will bring you into the gates. Depending upon where you live, I would take the BTS (or any other transport) to Asoke and take the underground (MRT) to Kamphaeng Phet, it takes you right into the market, just take the exit oposite the Farmers Association of Thailand and BINGO! Youre there.

About 20% of JJ or CC market IS open 7 days a week. Look into the animal or antique sections, they are always there, plus, Wednesdays and Thursdays they are open for the sale of plants, flowers, trees and bushes. If you have not visited it, try it!